Matthew Boyle

House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that House Republicans’ decision to hold Obama administration officials accountable for Operation Fast and Furious is the right thing to do, even if it’s not politically beneficial for the GOP.

“Members of Congress take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution and to enforce the laws,” Boehner said in an interview with conservative radio host Laura Ingraham.

“And while politically this may not be the smartest thing to do, we have taken an oath of office and we are required to follow it. I and the leadership team worked very closely with Chairman Issa to make sure that all the t’s were crossed, all the i’s were dotted. We’ve given the admin every ample opportunity to comply with this and quite frankly we’re at the stage, because the Attorney General Eric Holder has refused to work with us in a constructive way. It’s unfortunate.”

Fox News Channel’s The Five co-host Andrea Tantaros, a conservative New York Daily News columnist, argued Thursday morning that this issue isn’t politically beneficial to Republicans, who would do better to focus on the economy.

“From birth control coverage to Osama Bin Laden, the White House has been anxious to discuss anything but the fiscal state of our nation and the millions of Americans who are still out of work despite a costly stimulus and numerous political ploys like a payroll tax cut extension,” Tantaros wrote.